The reasoning
| CT | MRI | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | ~1 min | 20–40 min |
| First‑line for | trauma, acute stroke (exclude haemorrhage), thunderclap headache/SAH, status epilepticus, reduced GCS, skull fractures, unstable patients | tumours, epilepsy work‑up, MS/demyelination, DAI, posterior fossa and brainstem, encephalitis, early infarct (DWI), pituitary, CPA, cord |
| Strengths | acute blood, bone, calcification, availability | soft‑tissue contrast, diffusion, susceptibility, no radiation |